This is a family friendly blog for those who love dolls and toys. The blog is a forum for all apsects of doll history, doll collecting, and doll making. It is the first step in creating a nonprofit doll center to educate the public about the historical role that dolls, the oldest human cultural artifact, play in the the lives of people all over the world. All excerpts are the author's intellectual property and may not be reproduced in any means withoutreceiving permission from the author.

My husband led me to a fantastic Victorian doll house yesterday. After we chatted with a great couple who built it, we came home with VanV...

Sand Baby Castaways

Courtesy, Glenda Rolle the Artist

PM Dolls

Leo Moss

German Dolls

Formerly, Aunt Len's.

Beecher Doll

Graces cover of Lenon Hoyte Auction, Aunt Len's

Foreign Dolls

Pryor Collection

Pryor Doll Collection

In Dec. 1959 Natl. Geographic

Great Book

Edward VI's Doll, 1540

Formerly, Helen Moe Doll Museum

Rare "frozen metal doll" Mannikin Pis

Courtesy, eBay Eilleen, Finder 27

Vintage Japanese Doll Joins our Museum Family

Courtesy, Southern Soldier Antiques

Rare Frozen Charlotte Type

A Pageant of Dolls

By Lesley Gordon, 1948

Hong Kong Lili

Barbie Stamp

An early Vintage Barbie

Bild Lili

Zinc Bodied Rohmer

Caused a suit between Mme. Rohmer and Mlle. Huret

Metal Dydee Baby

17th century Lead Dolls

England

Doll Shaped Mold

cf Dolls and Puppets by von Boehn

Metal Head

Probably Minerva

Black Metal Head

Russian Nesting Doll Charm

18 inch Metal Head

Mlle Bleuette

14th C Munich Clay Doll

Used as Bapitsmal Gifts

Halopeau artists rendering

Toy maker

Restored dolls

L to R: All vinyl mid-60s, Ragggedy Ann, handmade, new arms and clothes, Barbie Type as Elizabeth Short, The Black Dahlia. Black Felt Dress, white silk flowers and ribbons. She is in one piece, but with a swivel waist that does snap in two!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

In every collection, there are some mystery dolls, and we may wonder, "are they, or aren't they?" In some cases, we aren't sure of a mark, or if they are old. We have to wonder if we got lucky, or if our luck is just too good to be true. In this post, in honor of Halloween and El Dia de Muertos, two mysterious times of the year to be sure, I am writing about some of my mystery dolls. To be honest, I don't necessarily want to know "the truth." I love the dolls, and I didn't bankrupt myself on any of them, and they are good dolls.

Don't all write in to burst my bubble! They aren't for sale, and even if they were, I would make it clear that I am unsure of their family history. The museum has good dolls in all categories, from high to low end, from the sublime to the ridiculous. We are an equal opportunity doll collecting establishment, but I just love a mystery, and I love to share:

Doll #1: She is jointed, black oil cloth, hand painted. "Izannah" is written across her back. She isn't jointed like a typical Izannah Walker doll, but her face and hair are similar to black Izannahs I have seen. Her dress was simple shift, similar to that worn by 1920s and 30s dolls. I've looked through all kinds of books and blogs, some just on Izannah Walker, through articles, and websites,and I find no consistency in scholarship on the dolls' marks. For example, here is information from the excellent site, DollReference.com: " Izannah F. Walker Doll Company 1865+ Central Falls, Rhode Island USA, primitive stockinette stuffed cloth rag dolls with oil painted or sculptured faces, doll mark Patented Nov. 4th, 1873 or I.F. Walker's Patent Nov. 4th, 1873 or unmarked. It is believed Miss Walker may have produced her cloth dolls as early as 1840."

Still, I like my doll very much. For the purists out there, and the high end dealers, we love you, but please don't all burn up The Internet in an attempt to correct me. Dr. E is stubborn, and won't listen, anyway. We like our dolls because we like our dolls!

This Huret Head is for sure a Reproduction; she is here for Comparison

Doll #2: I have one doll head by Huret, who is one of my doll heroes, and yes, horrors, two or three artist made reproductions, including one I did myself, down to the red soutache braid on the dress. This doll is old, and is marked "Huret" in red letters. I think she is an antique, but I really don't think she is Huret. All the same, her price was right and I love her. Her previous owner as into guns and boys' things. He was not interested in engaging in a discussion about dolls. Again, I find discrepancies in marks on Huret dolls; since I don't think her body is original, it is hard to know. Part of the mystery also likes in my own curiosity; is the current Huret bicycle company of France related to the doll maker?

Doll 3#: I think she is a vintage doll made from Seeley Molds, on an old body. Her dress is really quite lovely, and carefully lined. She looks a lot like the antique Marque dolls, but she probably is not an antique. She did, however, come from the collection Maury Verschoore, once camera man on Saturday Night Live. Her provenance, alone, makes her priceless to me. She does have the "A. Marque" signature on the right place.

It just isn't easy to be a clown any more. Sure, there were a few kids scared of them growing up. In fact, my bratty baby cousin was even afraid of Santa Claus. We had an awful time at Santa's Village with her. A few kids were even upset by the Easter Bunny and Leprechauns. My generation was afraid Manson coming to get them, though, than of fictional monsters. We laughed at Krusty the Clown from The Simpson's; we didn't have nightmares.

Some of my earliest dolls were clowns. There is a vinyl headed example with rooted hair that was among my first dolls. My very first doll, a squeaky bunny with a baby face is sort of a clown. I used to carry around my all plush, red haired clown that Mom got with King Korn stamps. He sill sits in one of my bedrooms. I deliberately looked for clowns to add to my doll collection, now the museum in waiting. I have the vintage Barbie yellow and black Harlequin outfits, complete with mask for Ken, and all sorts of figurines of Emmett Kelley, Pierrot, Polichinelle, Commedia dell Arte figures [important to a study of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew], Mexican clowns of papier mache and clay, Mudhead Kachina's, striped Zuni clowns, Bozos, and much more. I treasure my battered little Shoenhut clown, and my vintage Emmet Kelley. I love our Murano glass clowns, and lest we forget, part of The Golliwog's heritage is attributed to Chocolat, a clown that inspired Debussy and Toulouse Lautrec.

Chocolat, Public Domain Image

Clara Bell was a much loved clown from early TV, and who can forget the Death of Chuckles the Clown on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where she burst into laughter at his funeral. [An elephant allegedly stepped on poor chuckles; he thought Chuckles was a peanut].

Every culture has its clowns, jesters, and clown literature. Henry VIII was exceedingly fond of his gesture, and clowns appear everywhere in Shakespeare. Don't forget the grave digging clowns in Hamlet, or the famous line in King Lear, with double entendre, "My Poor Fool's Hanged."

They have a place in opera, film, vaudeville, circus, carnival, and now, horror pop culture. There is a decrepit clown in Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas, and every good haunted house has one.

I always thought clowns were fun, and that they were silly but often happy citizens of the circus and carnival. I love Harlequin, and I even thrilled to the Joker, by Caesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, or Heath Ledger. I have auction figures of all of them!

John Wayne Gacy was the first in my recollection to ruin clowns for us. Now, we have the clown attacks all over the place adding to it. They seemed to have died down; were they a horror movie promotion? Certainly the Roaming Antique Doll for Spirit of Halloween Stores this year represents a clown. Killer clowns have become cliche, if not boring.

All that make up is fascinating; all stage make up is. I have a portrait of a clown making himself up to perform that my husband took. The clown was from Ringling Brothers. I was on the Bozo television show twice for Brownies, and I can say that I was just thrilled. I love my Bozo talking doll, and am currently painting a portrait of him as well, see below. He is at my school office. There is one girl who just won't come in when she sees him. I should say that I have two friends who are retired professional clowns, Penny Plum and Pellie. They gave costume parties, and at one, I can't recognize some of the guests to this day because they were in make up. Yet, they made a lot of people happy with their act, and they were professional, graduates of clown college one and all. Locally, we had our own Show Time Pal promoting junior theater. Of course, there is Ronald McDonald, who has had to take a hiatus because of the Clown crimes. That's hardly fair. Did they rename his houses, too?

Courtesy, Theriault's

's

Courtesy, Theriault's

Courtesy, Theriault's

Clown dolls are great; I love antique bisque dolls dressed as clowns and

jesters, and I will always include them,Mardi Gras masks, and circus figures in my

collection of dolls.

The Nebraska Klown Museum is on my bucket list, and I recommend the million piece

miniature circus at The House on the Rock, and The Circus Museum, Baraboo, WI.

So, send in the clowns. I'm not afraid. Wicked people masquerade in innocence all the time.

Look at The Bad Seed, and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked this Way Comes. Clowns, like the

group Clownin Grannies that teaches scripture and goodness are still around, clowns are still there to make us laugh, and to forget our troubles, not to cause them.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Ah, love, and love for dolls. Barbara Pym wrote that everyone, especially
every woman, needed “something to love.” Today we would say, find your passion and
follow through with it. For those who
have been in love and for those who love dolls and share my passion for them,
Happy Sweetest Day!! Enjoy the photos!

Sunday, October 9, 2016

I was shocked to learn of Linda's death yesterday. For many years, my mother and I went to Blue Castle Treasures during Spoon River days and bought many dolls and collectibles. Linda was a teacher, and would open the shop for my mother so she could come and find books for me to use in graduate school, especially on about Eugene O'Neill. BCT was housed in the same building as her family's grocery store had been, and there were shelves and shelves of vintage dolls, antiques, and collectibles. I always enjoyed Linda's company, and she deserves a tribute here, and anywhere else we honor those who have contributed to the world of doll collecting.

Linda Sue Stuckel

November 5, 2015

Linda Sue Stuckel, 65, of Rapatee, passed away at 12:50 PM on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at her residence. She was born on May 15, 1950 to Edgar and Betty (Brashear) Stuckel. Surviving is her mother Betty of Rapatee; two brothers, John (Bev) Stuckel of Rapatee, and Jack (Emmy) Stuckel of Farmington, and one sister, Rhonda (John G) Hagen of Rapatee.Preceding her in death was her father Edgar, brother Jeffrey, and sister Brenda. Linda graduated from Western Illinois University; she took course work at Knox College to receive her primary teaching certificate. She was an elementary teacher for 37 years at Spoon River Valley where she retired in 2013. Linda was an active member of the Union Church of Rapatee, where she was also a member on the board and treasurer. She was also on the Maquon Library Board. With her mom, Linda owned and operated an antique store called Blue Castle Treasurers in Rapatee. She was an avid Cardinal and Illini fan. Services will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, IL. Rev. David Swain will be officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton, IL. Memorials can be made to her church. To view Linda’s DVD or to make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Monday, October 3, 2016

Stephanie Hammonds
Stephanie Hammonds is a survivor of ovarian cancer and was first diagnosed in 2009. She is involved with various cancer-related speaking engagements, including with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance's Survivors Teaching Students Program®. She is a life-long artist, freelance writer, lover of Italian cooking, mom and grandmom.

A Positive Take on Ovarian Cancer Month
Hammonds discusses how she leaves the scary stuff behind and focuses, instead, on the good stuff after ovarian cancer.
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

September has always been my favorite month. Looking forward to the start of a new school year, great weather, crunchy leaves and cool, back-to-school clothes was always pretty exciting.
And now, September has taken on a new meaning: it’s Ovarian Cancer Month, a time to reflect on life and celebrate my good fortune to have had access to ovarian cancer treatment.
As I reflect, I don’t dwell on negatives, get angry or blame anyone. I don’t curse my bad luck, lousy genes or the family tree.
After my diagnosis in 2009, I had a serious operation to remove tumors (believe me, “debulking” is not a bad word) and then chemotherapy to help capture errant cells. It was a journey along a road I was unfamiliar with, but a necessary one.
I’ve met women who have had similar operations and treatment; many are still working and still caring for families. Some have been celebrating their survivorship for several years. It’s a huge accomplishment dealing with any type of cancer because, let’s face it, a cancer diagnosis is tough. Thanks to my support group, it’s been a journey I’ve taken with ladies who have been down the same roads I have been. We find strength in each other. We celebrate together.
I’ve seen or heard many ovarian cancer clichés which serve to hurt our cause and perhaps even discourage or frighten others. Maybe it’s the reputation from years ago. We’re hoping that ovarian cancer outreach will bring about better outcomes. Rather than repeat the “gloom and doom” with outdated clichés and operative scary "horror” stories, I feel it’s better to get involved with working on the solutions. I do my part, along with others, by speaking to medical students about early signs and symptoms. It’s very empowering to help the cause, and the students learn from us as real cancer patients who are able to answer their questions and put a face on an illness.
Oncology researchers are coming up with new medicines, protocols and clinical trials. I bow to those who take part in the clinical trials so that others may benefit in the future. Genetic testing is a huge part of all this research. Let’s applaud and celebrate all the inroads made in slowing down the negatives in ovarian cancer.
Let’s celebrate how much has been achieved, and continue to stand up to ovarian cancer and all GYN cancers. Let's hope for and look forward to a better prognosis for all cancer patients.
I still love the month of September, only more so in the last few years. The leaves are prettier, the weather is more crisp and lovely, and a cool, new outfit is still something to look forward to.
I’ve had some of my greatest accomplishments in my art, classes I’ve taken, my associations and writing projects since 2009; it seems cancer has spurred me on.
And, a few short years ago, I discovered my newfound favorite quote from Horace Mann, the late Massachusetts educator:
“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.”

Here is a New Year's gift to us who love dolls from Masterpiece Theater, aka Masterpiece, and PBS. The series will appear in January, and so will Queen Victoria's dolls in at least one cameo appearance! Look for posts celebrating the Queen who loved dolls soon.

On one of my favorite radio shows, WVIK’s Saturday Morning
Life, followed by Scribble, both hosted by Senator Don Wooten, there was a
lively discussion about those with a passion for chess. One local professor who was an artist and a
priest was a regular junkie. He always
had three or four chess games going, and even played postcard chess. The players would mail their moves to each
other by writing them on postcards. Supposedly,
the good Reverend made a mistake and couldn’t bear to let the postcard go through
the post; he would have lost the chess game. So, he dressed in his full clergy regalia, and
waited seated on the curb for the postman so he could retrieve his card.

I was struck by the analogy to the back and forth strategy
of doll collecting.So many of our finds
are still discovered by “mail”, whether snail mail or email. There is often strategy involved; where will
we put our dolls? How will we display
them?How will we pay for them? How do we plan out trips to conventions and
shows? Should we restore a doll or
not?Should we buy a doll or not?

For me, collecting was always about strategy, and about
selecting dolls for my future museum.Strategy
dictated how I would work doll hunting into our family trips, and later into
mine. Sometimes strategy was planning to
get to a doll before someone else did, and I admit that I’ve played my cards
close to my vest when it comes to some of the places I look for dolls.

Planning doll talks, doll books, doll programs, and doll
displays involves a lot of strategic planning, too.If I can’t find just the right doll to bring
with me or to write about, the whole event is ruined for me!

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that chess figures are relatives to dolls, as well. I have my share of those as well, and love reading Dorothy L. Sayer's Gaudy Night because an antique chess set plays a role in the plot.

Public Domain

Finally, just like our friend the Reverend, I just hate to
lose, especially if I lose a doll I’ve searched for during a long period of
time.